WASHINGTON – The Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions today adopted the Employment Non-Discrimination Act by a bipartisan vote of 15-7. ENDA would prohibit employment discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in most American workplaces.

"Coming on the heels of the landmark Supreme Court marriage rulings, today's strong, bipartisan vote in favor of expanding workplace non-discrimination protections to include those who are LGBT is yet another sign that the tide has turned," said Ian Thompson, American Civil Liberties Union legislative representative. "Advocates have been working for nearly 40 years to pass these basic protections to ensure that all American workers, who stand side-by-side in the workplace and contribute with equal measure in their jobs, will stand on the same equal footing under the law. In 2013, it is completely unacceptable to force individuals to hide who they are out of fear of losing their livelihood."

The Employment Non-Discrimination Act now heads to the full Senate for consideration.

ACLU letter urging a "YES" vote on S. 815, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act is available here.